Which brakes for truck?

[Bob Horn]

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Which type of pad do I get. Ceramic or metalic? I will be towing 1500lbs or less.

[Macgyver55]

Either will work, although the metalic was most likely the one it originally came with. Ceramics generally cost more and can be harder on rotor life, but they are "advertised" to give more consistent stopping ability and along with that slightly less brake dust.

I usually stay with what it was designed for unless there is a specific performance issue or concern with the originals.

[Guest]

I would stay with metallics unless you are upgrading to Z rated rotors(very spendy). The cereamics do give better stopping power, especially if your brakes are hot.. but they will warp your rotors in a hurry if your getting them that hot!

Stick with a good grade metallic.. stay away from the cheapo's unless you like hearing them squeak.

[Jeremy airjer W]

ceramic is a relative term. A pad could be formulated with very little "ceramic" meterial and still be considered a "ceramic" pad.

The pad we have had the best luck with in the explorers is the Wagner thermo quiets. they by far gave the best life with very few combacks due to noise. We had tried out a less expensive pad and found them easily wearing out on the fords and dodges in less than 15,000 miles.

Currently we have switched to NAPA as our current parts provider. We have been using there premium brake pads for just over a year. So far they seem to be O.K. but I still prefer the thermo quiets.

Bob, make sure you specify that this is an explorer "sport" as the brake parts are different between the "sport" and regular explorers.

[NAPAFISH]

Part # Prem=AE7706M

[Bob Horn]

Thanks guys. I had new rotors and ceramic pads 6 months ago and I don't stop well and there is a jerking like the anti lock brakes are on but there not. I had excessive noise for 3-4 months so I am taking it back to the shop but wanted to get the right stuff this time. Thanks again

[Jeremy airjer W]

Sounds like the rotors are warped.

[Bob Horn]

That's what I thought. I want to get the rotors turned and the pads you recommended. Does the shop have any responsibility for telling us to put metallics on but they put ceramics on and now these problems?

[BIG DS]

If you haven't taken your truck in yet, most parts suppliers have a 12mo/12000 mile warranty on their parts (except electrical). If you bought new rotors, have them replaced. Do not settle for having them turned. By turning them you are shortening the rotor life. The next time you have the brakes replaced, you will probably need rotors again. The mechanic that installed them for you should be able to get the rotors free from the parts supplier and should be able to get a labor claim as well. That is, of course, if you are under the 12,000 mile mark yet. Ceramic pads were a good choice, but, if you paid less than $80 for the set of pads they had very little ceramic in them. The Wagner Thermoquiet is by far one of the best pads out there. Good luck.

[Macgyver55]

As I said earlier its always best to stay with what the vehicle was designed to use.

One of the only major brake suppliers who is not pushing a "ceramic" branded product these days is Wagner. Peter Murnen, manager of friction products said: "Wagner has been using various ceramic compounds for several years in some "ThermoQuiet" pads. The ThermoQuiet line also includes semi-metallic and nonasbestos nonmetallic (NANM) materials, too. It all depends on the application."

Ceramic pads can be installed on any vehicle that is originally-equipped with OEM ceramic pads, or on vehicles that are equipped with Nonasbestos Organic (NAO) linings. Ceramic pads are NOT recommended to replace semi-metallic pads, especially on larger, heavier vehicles. On trucks and SUVs, semi-metallic linings are typically needed to handle higher loads and braking temperatures.

According to a recent Babcox survey, more than 90 percent of brake technicians say they prefer to install "application-specific" brake linings.

Application specific means the friction material has been carefully chosen to match the braking requirements of a particular vehicle platform. If we are talking about a ceramic-only product line, it will typically contain a number of different ceramic formulas instead of a single material.

An often-overlooked factor that can have a significant impact on the performance of any type of friction material is rotor finish. The higher the quality of the rotor finish, the less noise the pads will make, and that includes any type of pads, not just semi-metallics.

[ChuckN]

Great post, and thanks for that MacGyver.

Years ago I was talked into using expensive ceramic pads in my pick-up because they were better for heavy loads...that is very far from the truth in my experience. They simply don't stop the truck like semi-metallic! I'll be going back to semi-metallic.

I will add that ceramic last a long time, no noise, smooth, eliminates the dust on the rims, but they just don't perform because my application is not correct, and now I know why.

[Bob Horn]

Thanks again. I seen a big difference in the two. Now comes the fight with the shop on getting things done right. I'll keep you posted.

[mymaro]

wagner thermoquiets all the way thanks for saying it airjer i work at oreilly and i do have to say thermoquiets are the best pad we sell all the local shops use them they dont even ask for a mid range price they just want the thermoquiets if your shoping at an oreilly store either the wagner or the brake best premium selects are good dont settle for the 19.99 pads as far as ceramics i just dont know about them haha

[Black_Bay]

One thing that will also help brake performance and extend life is burnishing/bedding the brakes. A lot of places won't take the time to do this but it's something that you should do when you get your vehicle back.

Burnishing Instructions

1)After installing new brake pads, make 6 to 10 stops from approximately 30-35 mph applying moderate pressure.

2)Make an additional 2 to 3 hard stops from approximately 40 to 45 mph.

3)DO NOT DRAG BRAKES!

4)Allow 15 minutes for brake system to cool down.

5)After step 4 your new pads are ready for use.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Now that sounds like it just takes to long!

The method I have been using for years is the accelerate to around fourty and hammer the brakes (making sure the conditions allow for this of course). When the wheels lock up or the ABS kicks in I know that everything is "broken-in". It sounds harsh but I would much rather find this out for myself on a test brake than to have the customer to get into an emegency braking situation only to find out that less than 100% of the braking force is available.

[Bob Horn]

Here's an update. I called the shop that installed the brakes. They agreed to resurface and install the new pads that I bought for free. I bought the Wagner Thermopads. It's been a week or so and there is some light noise but barely. The most important part is braking, it is great. It stops a lot better. I don't feel the brake fade like I did in the other pads. Thank You very much for your help,Bob.

[DitchPickle13]

Nice thread guys...which I would have seen this a year ago! I bought ceramic pads about a year ago for my F150 because I heard they didn't put out brake dust or sqeak.

Well, I was dissappointed since then with the dust that keeps appearing. Then I was informed the dust is from the rotor being eaten away by the pads...needless to say, I'm not buying ceramics this time

[Bob Horn]

After having the brakes on for a couple of weeks now, I'm still in awe of how good I stop compared to the ceramics.